Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/29

 25, 26] THE SITUATION AT PYLOS 21 At Pylos meanwhile the Athenians continued to blockade 26 the Lacedaemonians in the island, and , _> 1 • r ,^1 • The blockade of Pylos the Peloponnesian forces on the mam- ^^,^^. ^^. ^^^^^ ^^^,. ,^ ^^^ land remained in their old position, to want of food and The watch was harassing to the Athen- «'"'"'; (2) to the con- r xi • ,. r. ^u c fined space; (3) to the lans, for they were m want both of -J- „^,,4w^ ^^anehor- food and water; there was only one i,ig in shore; {i,) to the small well, which was in the acropolis, measiaes taken by the, , ... 1 • .1 Lacedaemonians for the and the soldiers were commonly m the i.^roductionofsuppUes. habit of scraping away the shingle on the sea-shore, and drinking such water as they could get. The Athenian garrison was crowded into a narrow space, and, their ships having no regular anchorage, the crews took their meals on land by turns ; one half of the army eating while the other lay at anchor in the open sea. The unexpected length of the siege was a great discourage- ment to them ; they had hoped to starve their enemies out in a few days, for they were on a desert island, and had only brackish water to drink. The secret of this protracted resistance was a proclamation issued by the Lacedae- monians offering large fixed prices, and freedom if he were a Helot, to any one who would convey into the island meal, wine, cheese or any other provision suitable for a besieged place. Many braved the danger, especially the Helots; they started from all points of Peloponnesus, and before daybreak bore down upon the shore of the island looking towards the open sea. They took especial care to have a strong wind in their favour, since they were less likely to be discovered by the triremes when it blew hard from the sea. The blockade was then impracticable, and the crews of the boats were perfectly reckless in running them aground ; for a value had been set upon them, and Lacedaemonian hoplites were waiting to receive them about the landing-places of the island. All however who ventured when the sea was calm were captured. Some too dived and swam by way of the harbour, drawing after them by a cord skins containing pounded linseed and